The Homa Bay government will build housing units to accommodate staff and students at Tom Mboya University College.
The project is a partnership between the two institutions.
The college has signed a memorandum of understanding with the county government to construct a hostel with a capacity to accommodate 2,000 students.
College principal Prof Charles Ochola said the houses will address the challenge of accommodating the increasing number of students.
The partnership deal, inked last Thursday, between the principal and Governor Cyprian Awiti will also benefit the university teaching staff.
Ochola said on Friday that lecturers will have the opportunity to buy the housing units upon completion at affordable arrangements.
“We want our students to be accommodated in a secure environment. The project will target the first-year students who are usually vulnerable because they find themselves in unfamiliar terrain,” Ochola said.
The college which was established four years ago as a constituent campus of Maseno University has witnessed tremendous growth which has also boosted economic development within Homa Bay town.
The construction of the administration block and lecture halls at the institution at a cost of Sh338 million created a huge economic impact around the town.
The project, delivered within two years, comprised the construction of 12 lecture rooms, each accommodating 100 students.
Two lecture halls, each accommodating 250 students, were also built.
Also constructed was a laboratory for 50 students, eight offices, an executive boardroom, a server room that provides for e-learning, CCTV systems, Wi-Fi and Internet services.
The university also has a recreational/conference space at the rooftop to cater for senior staff and conference facilities.
"At any given time, 2,000 students are able to attend lectures without any disruption because we have adequate halls,” Ochola said.
The imposing building standing at the expansive college land a few kilometers from Lake Victoria also has a 10-person passenger lift and fire suppression systems.
Currently, 2,000 students are pursuing various degree programmes at the institution. They are mostly accommodated within Homa Bay town.
“As a growing university college, we have our eye on the charter. We have embarked on serious development projects for expansion in anticipation of this,” the principal said.
He added, "These will see the university increase its capacity enabling it to admit even more students.”
In May, Education CS George Magoha toured the institution to assess the progress of various development projects.
The college is currently implementing phase two of the construction of a block that will contain offices and lecture halls at a cost of Sh968 million.
The project which began last month will be completed within three years.
“The building, when complete will have four lecture theatres, each accommodating 510 students, 24 lecture rooms, each accommodating 125 students and 14 lecture rooms, each accommodating 225 students."
